The Power of Plagues

by Irwin W. Sherman

The Power of Plagues presents a rogues' gallery of epidemic- causing microorganisms placed in the context of world history. Author Irwin W. Sherman introduces the microbes that caused these epidemics and the people who sought (and still seek) to understand how diseases and epidemics are managed. What makes this book especially fascinating are the many threads that Sherman weaves together as he explains how plagues past and present have shaped the outcome of wars and altered the course of medicine, religion, education, feudalism, and science. Cholera gave birth to the field of epidemiology. The bubonic plague epidemic that began in 1346 led to the formation of universities in cities far from the major centers of learning (and hot spots of the Black Death) at that time. And the Anopheles mosquito and malaria aided General George Washington during the American Revolution. Sadly, when microbes have inflicted death and suffering, people have sometimes responded by invoking discrimination, scapegoating, and quarantine, often unfairly, against races or classes of people presumed to be the cause of the epidemic. Pathogens are not the only stars of this book. Many scientists and physicians who toiled to understand, treat, and prevent these plagues are also featured. Sherman tells engaging tales of the development of vaccines, anesthesia, antiseptics, and antibiotics. This arsenal has dramatically reduced the suffering and death caused by infectious diseases, but these plague protectors are imperfect, due to their side effects or attenuation and because microbes almost invariably develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs. The Power of Plagues provides a sobering reminder that plagues are not a thing of the past. Along with the persistence of tuberculosis, malaria, river blindness, and AIDS, emerging and remerging epidemics continue to confound global and national public health efforts. West Nile virus, Lyme disease, and Ebola and Zika viruses are just some of the newest rogues to plague humans. The argument that civilization has been shaped to a significant degree by the power of plagues is compelling, and The Power of Plagues makes the case in an engaging and informative way that will be satisfying to scientists and non-scientists alike.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, History, Medical, Biology, Medicine

512 pages, Paperback

First published December 21, 2005

Reviews

[Gregory Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little light (lol) reading I did for this semester, an excellent overview of disease writ large, as well as profiles on individual killers and the biological and social impact they caused. I wish they had spent more time on some of the social side of things.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could see building a class around this

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing. Lost a star because it periodically uses outdated language that comes off offensive. And the section on AIDS seemed a little homophobic at times

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wonder if this is a textbook for a class about the importance and influence of diseases? It is shaped like one, rather large with really good illustrations (scary ones, some of them). If you have any interest in the really important diseases that lost battles and wars, stopped conquerors and settlers and held back entire peoples from developing into modern societies, read this book! Well researched, covering all of the controversies and scientifically clear, this book traces the diseases and how they attack the body, then traces the history of the diseases and how they influenced the global history of mankind. Readable and fascinating!!

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I favored the layout of this book immensely. Each chapter began with interesting epidemic stories and other attention-grabbing details. Many pages later I actually wanted to know more scientific details on the pathogen. Textbooks should be laid out like this--tell the interesting story first and then the stuff that would otherwise be boring.

[Chungys · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that takes the reader through a number of plagues that have changed the course of human
society. I especially enjoyed the historical aspects of the plagues and how they affected human civilization.

[Krystle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical context about the evoution of epidemics and disease origins

[Mills College Library]

616.9 S5533 2017